Appointments, Faculty and Staff, Operative Dentistry

Walter Begins Appointment with Operative Dentistry

Dr. Rick Walter recently began his appointment as clinical associate professor in the Department of Operative Dentistry.

“After a little over two years away, I return to UNC Chapel Hill to rejoin the incredible group of people in the Operative Dentistry department that has positively influenced my academic career so much,” said Walter. “Quoting one of my mentors: ‘You are not allowed many do-overs in life.’ I am eager to make the best of this opportunity and help the department and school maintain the extraordinary level of education at UNC through training of our students, patient care, service to the community and research. My involvement in all aspects of dental education will help me to continue to understand the needs in our profession, guiding me towards my goal of development and evaluation of better dental materials.”

In his role as clinical associate professor, Walter’s responsibilities will include clinical teaching of sophomore and junior students in their group practices, where he will be one of the group directors. Walter plans to remain active in his clinical and laboratory research in dental materials, specifically in dental bonding and resin-based restoratives. He also will maintain his intramural practice devoted to restorative and esthetic dentistry.

“I am excited to welcome back one of our own, Dr. Rick Walter,” said Dr. Andre Ritter, interim chair of the Department of Operative Dentistry. “Dr. Walter was a key faculty member in our department after completing our graduate program; it was as big loss for us when he moved away. I look forward to working with Dr. Walter again. He is one of the most dedicated and hard-working colleagues I’ve ever worked with. I hope he will remain at UNC for many years, and that he will be able to achieve his professional goals while helping the school fulfill its mission.”

Walter earned his D.D.S. in 2000 from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, which is located in Brazil. He earned his M.S. in operative dentistry from the UNC School of Dentistry in 2005 and was faculty in the department from 2006 to 2011. He then joined the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine where he was faculty in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences until early this year.